Sex workers in Belgium have gained unprecedented labor rights under a landmark law that went into effect on Sunday. The reforms make Belgium the first country in the world to provide sex workers with formal employment contracts, granting access to health insurance, pensions, paid leave, maternity benefits, and unemployment support.

This transformative legislation follows Belgium’s 2022 decision to decriminalize sex work and establishes a robust framework to safeguard the rights and safety of workers in the industry.

The law introduces a range of protections and rights, ensuring sex workers are treated on par with those in other professions. Workers now have the right to refuse clients, dictate the terms of their services, and stop an act at any moment. Employers, meanwhile, are required to comply with strict regulations, including safety and hygiene standards.

“This is an incredible step forward,” said Isabelle Jaramillo, coordinator of the advocacy group Espace P, which played a key role in drafting the legislation. “It means their profession can finally be recognized as legitimate by the Belgian state.”

Under the new framework, employers hiring sex workers must obtain state authorization, meeting stringent requirements that include a clean criminal record free of sexual assault or human trafficking convictions. Employers are also mandated to provide a safe working environment, including clean linens, condoms, hygiene products, and emergency buttons in workspaces.

In the past, hiring someone for sex work automatically constituted pimping under Belgian law, even in consensual arrangements. Now, regulated employment allows for formal contracts that protect both parties.

Independent sex work remains legal and unregulated, but the new law imposes severe penalties for unregulated third-party hiring or violations of the framework. Employers who fail to comply with the strict safety and employment standards may face prosecution.

The legislation aims to address the gaps that have left sex workers vulnerable to exploitation, unsafe conditions, and lack of financial security. It provides sex workers with the same rights as employees in other industries, including protections related to working hours, pay, and workplace safety.

“This is a revolution for both workers and employers,” Jaramillo remarked. “From the workers’ perspective, they now have access to essential protections. From the employer’s perspective, they must operate within a framework that ensures dignity and safety.”

Despite the progress, critics note that the law does not fully address the stigma or challenges faced by undocumented sex workers, who may continue to operate outside the legal framework. Advocacy groups have also emphasized the need for additional measures, including police and judicial training, to ensure the effective protection of marginalized workers.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done,” Jaramillo said. “This law is a step in the right direction, but it’s not a panacea for all the issues tied to the trade.”

While countries such as Germany and the Netherlands have legalized sex work, Belgium’s law goes further by implementing comprehensive labor protections. It sets a new global benchmark for recognizing sex work as legitimate employment while addressing worker safety and dignity.

This is the first law of its kind in the world. As the rest of the world watches on, one can only hope that others will join in. Sex work is real work, and it deserves the same protections as other workers.